RUGBY: A weakened Upper Eden side gave a couragious account of themselves against North Lancs/ Cumbria league leaders Blackburn, eventually losing 28-8 to a team that has only dropped a single point this season.

The reserves and stand-ins acquitted themselves very well against a well drilled home side and, with the wind behind them in the first half, Eden defied their better placed opponents.

Seventeen-year-old scrum-half Dan Todd played well behind a retreating pack, Kark Haygarth tackled like a demon and fly-half Matt Allinson kicked a penalty, spoiled only the the concession of a soft try that gave Blackburn a 5-3 half-time lead.

The home side were a different proposition when they played with the wind in the second half, using the superior weight and experience of their pack to score three tries, one converted, and a penalty. One of the tries was a forwards' pushover and another was from a five-metre scrum.

Eden's try came right at the end of the match. Colin Wolstenholme made ground from a tap penalty and fed the ball to Allinson who, in turn, found Bud Brown. Brown drew his man before releasing Adam Knowles on a 35-metres into a corner. The tricky into the wind conversion kick failed.

l Weakened by giving five players to the first team, the Boars lost 14-25 to Tarleton in their Miller Homes League match.

The Boars conceded three unconverted first half tries and, although playing well in spells, could not link well enough to threaten Tarleton's line.

Tarleton added two more tries before the Boars responded with a driving maul and touchdown by David Birkbeck, converted by Rick Park, and a try by Glen Carr, also converted by Park.

This weekend sees the Upper Eden 1st XV at home to Workington while the Boars travel to Littleboroughfor their Miller Homes League fixture.